I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

The castle's wall clock chimed faintly, its sound echoing softly through the stone corridors. Outside, the night deepened. Winter winds whispered weakly against the glass, carrying snowflakes that clung for a moment before melting away. In Sylvia's chamber, the enchanted torches still burned, their glow soft and steady, illuminating a desk cluttered with papers, pens, and a teacup long gone cold.

At last, Sylvia stopped writing. She placed her pen atop the final stack of documents with a slow motion, then leaned back against the large chair. The tension in her shoulders eased, and she stretched her arms high above her head, exhaling with relief.

"Phew…" she murmured, almost like a sigh of satisfaction. "Finally… done."

The faint red light in her eyes dimmed slightly, a sign of weariness pressing against her undead body even though, technically, she never needed sleep. But the remnants of her humanity still demanded rest.

Celes, who had been sitting quietly beside her, flipping through reports, turned when she heard the sound. Her silver hair fell across part of her face, and she paused, watching Sylvia stretch like someone freed from a heavy burden.

Then, Sylvia suddenly looked at her. Her voice was flat, tired, yet honest stripped of the formal tone she usually wore.

"Let's sleep together."

The words slipped out, unplanned.

Celes froze in place. The fingers holding her papers stilled, her eyes widening slightly. For a moment, silence filled the space between them, broken only by the faint crackle of the hearth fire.

"…What?" she asked softly, as if to make sure.

But Sylvia didn't repeat herself. She simply rose with a lazy motion, pushing aside the papers that blocked her way, and walked toward the large bed by the wall. Her black hair swayed lightly, her nightgown trailing behind her steps.

Celes continued to stare, her face slowly flushing. Her heart thudded irregularly not from fear, but from the suddenness of such simple words, spoken without thought.

Sylvia didn't look back. She dropped herself onto the bed, pulled the thick black blanket over her body, and closed her eyes. Within seconds, her breathing was steady, her form sinking into quiet sleep.

"…"

Celes remained by the desk for quite a while, struggling to steady herself. Sleep together. The phrase echoed again and again in her mind. She knew well Sylvia hadn't meant anything by it. Sylvia was just tired, simply seeking rest. And yet, hearing it directly still sent an odd tremor through her chest.

She exhaled deeply, trying to cool the flush in her cheeks. "You really… don't even realize."

With light, cautious steps, she moved toward the bed. Sylvia was already sound asleep, her pale face calm, almost like a beautiful statue left to slumber. Her black hair spread across the pillow, and for a moment Celes simply stood, watching.

A small pang of disappointment stirred. Not because Sylvia had fallen asleep first, but because she had wished even a little for some kind of answer to those simple words.

"…Stubborn as ever," she whispered faintly, more to herself than to anyone else.

Finally, she slipped into the bed. The blanket was wide enough for both of them. Celes lay carefully on her side, her back slightly turned, as if not to appear too close. Yet the small space between them still felt warm or perhaps it was only the feeling in her chest that made it so.

Her eyes lingered on the ceiling for a while before closing slowly. A faint smile touched her lips, tempered by a long sigh.

"Tonight… I'll let you win."

The magic torches flickered once, then dimmed, leaving the room in soft shadow. The two women slept side by side in the great castle bed, surrounded by the thick silence of night.

The pale winter sun was already high when Sylvia finally opened her eyes. The heavy curtains did not fully close, letting a shaft of dim light seep into the room, falling across the stone floor and the black blanket still covering part of her body.

The first thing she felt was not the cold but warmth. Something soft pressed against her, breathing in a steady rhythm. When she turned her head, her crimson gaze met the sleeping face of Celes beside her.

Celes's long silver hair was tousled on the pillow, strands falling across her cheek. Her lips were closed, her breathing calm, and the face that usually looked cold now seemed more peaceful than Sylvia had ever seen.

Realization struck as Sylvia noticed her own arm loosely wrapped around that slender waist. She froze. Her expression remained blank, but a flicker of surprise lit her eyes. Carefully, she pulled her arm back, moving so slowly as not to wake Celes.

"…Hhh." A long sigh escaped as she sat up on the bed. She rubbed her face with her palm, then glanced once more at the sleeping woman. "I've gotten too comfortable."

Without another word, she slipped from the bed. The cold stone floor greeted her bare feet, but she didn't care. Her undead body had no need for warmth though her old habits still made her crave comfort.

With lazy steps, she put on a light robe and left the chamber. The castle halls were still quiet. Magic torches flickered faintly, and far away the faint clink of chains from the zombie guards echoed.

She made her way to the eastern bathhouse of the castle, a large chamber built long ago for nobles, before the place was abandoned. The carved wooden door creaked as she pushed it open, revealing a vast stone room with damp black walls.

In the center lay the hot spring pool, once enchanted by magic. But as Sylvia approached, she scowled.

The entire surface was frozen solid. No steam, only biting cold.

"…Of course it froze again," she muttered, her tone flat but edged with irritation.

She shed her robe and thin camisole, leaving her pale body wrapped only in a towel. Her long black hair fell loose down her back, glowing faintly under the blue wall-lights.

With one motion, Sylvia lifted her hand. Dark-purple Nether Flame flared in her palm, swirling like a living thing. She hurled it at the pool.

Crackkk The ice split apart, hissing as the flame touched water. In seconds, the surface melted, white steam curling upward. Sylvia did not extinguish the fire at once; she kept it steady, heating the pool until it reached a comfortable warmth.

"Hot enough." With a flick of her wrist, the flame vanished.

Steam filled the room, clinging to her skin, dampening her hair. Sylvia set her towel aside on a nearby rock and stepped into the pool slowly.

"…Hhh." The sound left her lips, almost like a sigh of relief. The water rose to her shoulders, and for the first time that morning, her face relaxed completely.

Leaning her head back against the stone edge, she let the steam envelop her body.

But old habits didn't let her sit idle. With a thought, she opened a telepathic link to one of the zombie servants.

"Bring breakfast to the baths," she ordered simply.

Understood, my Lady, came the monotone reply.

Sylvia closed her eyes again. Time moved slowly, broken only by the soft ripple of water. But soon, the bathhouse door creaked open.

She assumed it was the servant but when she opened her eyes, it was not just them. Alicia and Stacia stepped in as well, each carrying a small towel, their faces still drowsy.

"Sy… Sylvia?" Alicia rubbed her eyes, her voice hoarse with sleep. "So you're here. We thought you'd gone back to work."

Sylvia arched a brow, her expression calm. "No. I wanted a bath."

Stacia yawned, covering her mouth. Her ashen hair was messy. "Hhh… No wonder the room's steaming. I thought it was just the lingering enchantment."

Alicia glanced at her sister, then at Sylvia again. "In that case… may we join you?"

Sylvia didn't answer immediately. She only shut her eyes, then gave a small nod.

Without further delay, her sisters set aside their towels and stepped into the water. Ripples spread as they sank in, steam thickening in the chamber.

Alicia let out a relieved sigh as soon as she submerged. "Ahh… this is so much better than sleeping the whole day. The water's perfect."

Stacia lowered her gaze, her cheeks faintly red whether from the heat or embarrassment, Sylvia couldn't tell. "I didn't expect you… to come bathe alone, Sylvia. Usually you're buried in papers."

Sylvia opened her eyes to look at them both. "I need rest too. Especially after last night."

Alicia leaned against the pool's edge, her silver hair wet against her shoulders. "Last night? You worked late again?"

Sylvia closed her eyes briefly, then nodded. "Yes. With Celes."

Stacia's eyes flicked quickly toward her. "Oh…" Her lips moved, but she bit back whatever words she nearly spoke.

Silence fell, broken only by the water's ripple. Then the door opened again, this time truly the servant, carrying a tray of breakfast: warm porridge, hard bread, and herbal tea. Without a word, the servant bowed and set it on a stone table by the pool before departing.

The aroma of food mingled with the steam, softening the atmosphere.

Alicia perked up instantly. "Perfect, I'm starving." She grabbed a bowl of porridge, blowing on it before eating eagerly.

Stacia sighed lightly, watching her. "You're always like this… even in the baths."

Alicia grinned. "Food tastes better while soaking. Try it."

Stacia eventually took a cup of tea, sipping quietly, still flustered.

Sylvia didn't touch the food right away. She only looked at them briefly, then spoke in her usual calm tone:

"Once you're finished, we need to talk about our next move. The Church won't stay idle."

Both sisters turned to her at once, their expressions shifting serious. Yet for now, the warmth of steam and the scent of simple breakfast kept the rare peace intact.